Posey offers alternative

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

A face-to-face meeting between John Paxson and James Posey established interest on both sides, and the Bulls are optimistic they can outbid Houston for Posey, a restricted free-agent small forward, if necessary.

But as Scottie Pippen's options continue to dwindle, Paxson is hoping he won't need to do so and that Pippen, his first choice and former teammate, will return to the franchise of his greatest glory.

Pippen continued to mull his decision Friday, mindful that Paxson has requested an answer by Monday.

Memphis is still a possibility for Pippen, with Ira Newble appearing ready to spurn the Grizzlies' offer. Newble is traveling to Boston to meet with Cleveland general manager Jim Paxson and coach Paul Silas at summer-league play and could sign a multiyear deal with the Cavaliers as early as Saturday.

That Memphis offered Newble a portion of its midlevel salary-cap exception of $4.91 million raises questions about how serious its interest is in Pippen.

Grizzlies majority owner Michael Heisley is said to be seeking minority partners, and Pippen has expressed a desire for a front-office position after his playing career. But a source close to Pippen theorized that Pippen wouldn't spend his own money to attain such involvement, so that option could be out.

Pippen talked to Miami's Pat Riley on Wednesday, but the Heat offered only the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million. San Antonio, another team Pippen has touted, has talked to him but doesn't sound willing to offer the midlevel exception.

It's clear Pippen is trolling for other offers, because the Bulls are offering the most money--a two-year guaranteed deal starting at the full midlevel exception.

Team sources said they believe Pippen is doing so because the Bulls refuse to promise him a management position--and not just because it violates the salary cap.

If Pippen does pick the Bulls, team officials aren't worried that an unenthusiastic Pippen could be a dangerous Pippen to have around.

Mark Bartelstein, Posey's Chicago-based agent, has no problem with the fact that Pippen remains Paxson's first choice.

"I know they think Posey is a perfect fit for their team, but there is a strong feeling for Scottie," Bartelstein said. "I understand that. They've got options. James has options. It's all part of the process."

One of Posey's options is to re-sign with Houston, which would have 15 days to match any offer he receives. The Rockets made Posey a restricted free agent by making him a qualifying offer of $2.45 million.

"Houston wants him back," Bartelstein said. "But they have problems with the luxury tax in terms of how far they can go [salary-wise]."

A league source said Houston has discussed signing Posey to a shorter deal, knowing Glen Rice's $9.6 million salary comes off the books after the 2003-04 season.

Theoretically the Bulls could make that difficult for Houston by offering a long-term deal. But Paxson has been averse to doing so because he knows the Bulls are headed to luxury-tax territory when Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler come up for extensions after next season.

Pippen could render all the Posey talk moot with one word--yes.

Close call

Bulls forward Eddie Robinson was the victim of a crime early Friday after leaving a downtown nightclub.

Police arrested Shawn Boggs, 28, and charged him with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault after the incident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m. The first charge is a felony.

Robinson, according to a police spokesman, tussled with the smallish offender after Boggs stuck a gun in Robinson's back. Boggs then ran off and tossed away the gun before being apprehended by police, who recovered the 9 mm weapon.

The spokesman said Robinson initially was apprehensive about pursuing criminal charges but eventually picked Boggs out of a lineup Friday morning. Boggs has an August court date.

Bulls management has had trouble communicating this summer with Robinson, who has yet to make an off-season workout appearance at the Berto Center.

Summer fun

The Bulls opened summer-league play with a late Friday night game in Salt Lake City against Dallas.